For newbies with no experience, I recommend one of the following training companies: www.Schneider.com, www.Roehl.Net, www.MillisTransfer.com
.
CRST is basically a team oriented outfit.
JB Hunt requires 6 months OTR experience.
Werner does not have their own school but accepts PTDI school grads.

 

Stevens has a pretty decent program, onsite training school, follow up training program and decent pay.

give me a shout, we'll talk...lol

 

Some insight to CRE: The teacher I had, Jim ???, was really positive and helpful, even though we had a few airheads, disgruntled drivers from other companies, and a few "SuperTruckers." I did my reasearch almost an entire year before I came up with a short list of companies I would apply to... the list was as follows.. Number 1 - Stevens Transport. (they sold me on their awsome website, detailed information, and good fleet of rigs. I have never seen a poorly kept/damaged/abandoned/broke-down Stevens Rig... Number 2 - C.R. ENGLAND ( Growing up in Idaho I would see these cool rigs all the time, and after extensive research via the web and forums, I found VERY LITTLE to discourage me. Gene England actually shook my hand at the Orientation and expressed his "Deepest thanks and appreciation" [his words] for all the new drivers. He also expressed that CRE needed us and would do what they could to keep us. Also, the teachers are REALLY helpful and patient. They only problems I could forsee for any newbie would be to SAVE MONEY AND BE PREPARED FOR PINCHING PENNIES. It WILL BE TOUGH getting adjusted to the financial situation, but if you go in with a "I didn't come here to fail" attitude [my personal mantra during my stint] you should be fine. Also, come ready to disclose every and any illegal or character "mark" against you as you WILL BE INTERVIEWED BY A REAL FBI PROFILER. Mine was named Proctor, he was old, intense, and if you went in to see him and didnt come out, it was understood that you lied to the Recruiter about something in your past. Just a warning. Stay away from driver trainer Larry F. I dont want to get in trouble by slandering someone, but he was not in any position to train. I needed help on backing, trip-planning, and just general knowledge of the roadlife, but he was useless. All he kept talking about was his marital problems. All-in-all, CRE was a fun and interesting experience. You will run into people who despise the company you drive for, for whatever twisted reason, but that is not to say there are genuine bad feelings for a certain company; dont let others mistakes discourage you, learn from them. Be positive, Be THRIFTY with your money (DONT SPEND ANY AT TRUCK STOPS> THINK CHEAP!!!), and ALWAYS DRIVE SAFELY!, and you should be fine on the road.
And Number 3 - Schneider. They offered a cool Skid-pad training segment in their course which should be taught by every company. Other than a goverend 55mph organge truck, they seemed like a pretty reliable company thru my research and speaking to a peer whose mom is still a driver for Schneider.
My suggestion would be to THOROUGHLY RESEARCH all companies based on what you really hope to accomplish thru trucking, then ask questions till you turn blue.

One side note: the only thing I can say about CRE is thier Credit Union One, which is the financing company they use. The loan is actually for $5,500.00 at a high 22%-24%, approximately. Which was higher than I was told. They start off deducting about $45 dollars per check for about the first month, then it drops to $35 per check. If you stay on for one year, the debt is forgiven, and you will recieve a $1,600.00 return (but I am forgetting the details on this one). I was planning on retiring from CRE, but for me, things went south in the family sector, and I was unwise with my spending habits. But I am seriously considering coming back to OTR because I LOVED IT! and I am DEFINATELY looking into CRE again. I only hope they take me back.

 

Read this website. It will give you all the insight on CR England...

http://www.ripoffreport.com/results.asp?q1=ALL&q5=cr+england&submit2=Search!&q 4=&q6=&q3=&q2=&q7=&searchtype=0

 

http://www.ripoffreport.com/results.aspq1=ALL&q5=cr+england&submit2=Search!&q4 =&q6=&q3=&q2=&q7=&searchtype=0

 

The website works better if you cut & paste it. Do not click on it.

 

Cut & paste the website link. It does not work if you click on it.

 

This post is 3 years old

 

You just have to read them. When you get to CR England, remeber these articles and see if your situation relates to these articles. Thats all. That is your decision to make.

 

I left Crap Rolling Every New Guy Leaves After Ninty Days after being there exactly 90 days in mid November of 2003.

The company stated a bunch of things that sounded good, but failed to back it up, So i was left holding the bag.

I am with a really sucky company now, however, i need only 2 things:
1) A paycheck

and

2) Experience behind the wheel.

The International Botherhood of Teamsters gave me a call about the time i left Crap Rolling stating once i get 1 year experience i'll be starting out at $17 an hour and .35 cents per mile. I'll have to see if this is true by giving IBT a call and going to work for Yellow.